Sequence of the RAG1 and RAG2 Intergenic Region in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The recombination activating genes, rag1 and rag2 are essential for the rearrangement of antigen receptor V, D, and J gene segments (Oettinger et al., 1990, Mombaerts et al., 1992; Sehatz and Oettinger, 1992; Shinkai et al., 1992). Both genes are found in all species that are known to rearrange their antigenspecific receptors. The coding regions as well as the genomic organization of the rag locus are highly conserved throughout evolution. Rag1 and rag2, which are convergently transcribed, are separated by an intergenic region of DNA that varies in size among species, being, for example, about 11 kb in the human (Homo sapiens), 8 kb in the mouse (Mus musculus), 5.2 kb in the frog (Xenopus laevis), 2.8 kb in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (Oettinger et al., 1990; Ichicara et al., 1992; Greenhalgh et al., 1993; Greenhalgh and Steiner., 1995; Hansen and Kaattari, 1996), and 2.6 kb in the zebrafish (Danio rerio).National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant 2R01 AI08054)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant 5T32 AI07436)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant 1F32 AI09072

Sequence Analysis of the Mouse RAG Locus lntergenic Region

The recombination activating genes RAG-1 and RAG-2 are highly conserved throughout evolution and are necessary and essential for the DNA rearrangement of antigen-receptor gene segments. These convergently transcribed genes are expressed primarily by developing B and T lineage cells. In addition, recent data suggest that the RAG locus can be reactivated in mouse germinal center B cells. Despite these well-defined patterns of expression, little is known about mechanism(s) regulating transcription of the RAG locus. Experiments with a mouse fibroblast line stably transfected with a genomic fragment of the RAG locus suggest that the intergenic region between RAG-1 and RAG-2 may contain information modulating RAG transcription. In order to begin testing this hypothesis, we have sequenced the 7.0-kb RAG intergenic region of the mouse. The sequence did not contain open reading frames larger than 60 amino acids. Analysis with GCG software identified several potential transcription-factor binding sequences within this region. Many of these are associated with transcriptional regulation of the Ig locus

Speech Communication

Contains research objectives and summary of research on six research projects and reports on three research projects.National Institutes of Health (Grant 5 RO1 NS04332-13)National Institutes of Health (Fellowship 1 F22 MH5825-01)National Institutes of Health (Grant 1 T32 NS07040-01)National Institutes of Health (Fellowship 1 F22 NS007960)National Institutes of Health (Fellowship 1 F22 HD019120)National Institutes of Health (Fellowship 1 F22 HD01919-01)U. S. Army (Contract DAAB03-75-C-0489)National Institutes of Health (Grant 5 RO1 NS04332-12

Contamination Control and Assay Results for the Majorana Demonstrator Ultra Clean Components

The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR is a neutrinoless double beta decay experiment utilizing enriched Ge-76 detectors in 2 separate modules inside of a common solid shield at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. The DEMONSTRATOR has utilized world leading assay sensitivities to develop clean materials and processes for producing ultra-pure copper and plastic components. This experiment is now operating, and initial data provide new insights into the success of cleaning and processing. Post production copper assays after the completion of Module 1 showed an increase in U and Th contamination in finished parts compared to starting bulk material. A revised cleaning method and additional round of surface contamination studies prior to Module 2 construction have provided evidence that more rigorous process control can reduce surface contamination. This article describes the assay results and discuss further studies to take advantage of assay capabilities for the purpose of maintaining ultra clean fabrication and process design.Comment: Proceedings of Low Radioactivity Techniques (LRT May 2017, Seoul

Low Background Signal Readout Electronics for the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR

The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR is a planned 40 kg array of Germanium detectors intended to demonstrate the feasibility of constructing a tonne-scale experiment that will seek neutrinoless double beta decay ($0\nu\beta\beta$) in $^{76}\mathrm{Ge}$. Such an experiment would require backgrounds of less than 1 count/tonne-year in the 4 keV region of interest around the 2039 keV Q-value of the $\beta\beta$ decay. Designing low-noise electronics, which must be placed in close proximity to the detectors, presents a challenge to reaching this background target. This paper will discuss the MAJORANA collaboration's solutions to some of these challenges